Entrepreneurial American Community Award

Entrepreneurial American Community Award

The Entrepreneurial American Community Award acknowledges the civic capacity building, commitment, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit of a community. Those communities honored with this award are true innovators and have found success in providing unique solutions to local problems.

St. Tammany Parish, located on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain about 30 miles north of New Orleans, is a celebrated Louisiana community and one of the fastest growing parishes in the state.

The eastern part of the parish was the epicenter of the landfall of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, an event that devastated the community and caused over $400 million in damage to commercial and residential buildings. Though Hurricane Katrina destroyed over 48,000 homes and razed a number of important community institutions, the disaster has illustrated the resiliency of the residents of St. Tammany Parish and the community is quickly becoming a source of pride for New Orleans residents once again.

According to the publication Louisiana Moving Forward, St. Tammany Parish is the “economic engine driving regional recovery” for the New Orleans metropolitan region. At the heart of this redevelopment is the rich history of the community, which attracts visitors looking to experience the romance of the resort towns that populate the parish. Smart policies have also allowed the community to foster a business-friendly environment, and the parish is currently home to a number of the country’s most notable corporations, including Chevron, Stirling Properties and Smoothie King. This has created a quickly expanding job market, which when combined with the top-tier public school system and proximity to one of the most culturally rich urban areas in the U.S., make St. Tammany Parish one of the most livable communities in the nation today.

Parish President Pat Brister will accept the award. President Brister is a businesswoman and a leader in Louisiana state politics, having previously served as the Louisiana Republican Party State Chairman. President Brister was appointed by President Bush as an ambassador to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Entrepreneurial American Community Award

The Entrepreneurial American Community Award acknowledges the individuals, groups, and communities that have recognized the value of building a broad constituency among the public and private realms to improve the standing of all residents in their community.

City of Houston, Texas is being honored for successfully transforming itself from a city once reliant on the fossil fuel industry into one of the most economically and culturally dynamic American cities. With a strong economy and high level of diversity, Houston today has set an example for what American communities should aspire to become in the future.

Accepted by Gordon Quan on behalf of Mayor Annise Parker

In the 1980s, Houston was a city with an economy largely reliant on the fossil fuel industry. When oil prices started falling, the local economy suffered dramatically. The end of the oil boom slowed the city’s growth and sent Houston into a recession by the end of the decade.

Today, Houston has one of the fastest growing job markets in the country and is widely considered one of the most ethnically and economically diverse cities in the world. It is home to a flourishing arts and culture community and is quickly becoming a premier destination for foodies worldwide. Respected publications, such as Forbes and the Smithsonian Magazine, have called Houston the “Future of the Great American City.”

Smart policies and effective leadership have fueled Houston’s impressive transformation. It is clear that Houston policymakers understand what it takes to make a truly livable city. Investment in areas such as education, health, renewable energy, and technology have spurred this dramatic growth. Houston has set the precedent for America’s future cities, making it one of the most entrepreneurial communities in America today. Gordon Quan, former Mayor Pro-Tem, will accept the award on behalf of Mayor Anise Parker and the City of Houston.

Photo Description: The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours’ sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. The port is ranked first in the United States in foreign waterborne commerce and second in total tonnage.

Photo credit: Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

In the recent online poll, conducted by Outdoor Magazine, Chattanooga was recently voted by readers as the top choice in the “Best Town Ever” contest of 2011.

Entrepreneurial Livable Community Award

For the community’s entrepreneurial spirit in its transformation to become a model for sustainable development and prosperity today.